Prevalence of thyroid nodules in 4306 healthy adult population
AIM: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of thyroid nodules in 4306 healthy adult population. METHODS: Included in the study were 4306 adults without thyroid surgery history and ultrasonographic examination of thyroid gland and measurement of serum thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) were conducted. RESULTS: Thyroid nodules were detectable in 675 subjects (15.7%) by ultrasonographic examination. The thyroid nodule prevalence increased with the increasing of age. The nodule prevalence in women aged between 31-60 years was higher than that in men of the same age group. No evidence showed that the nodule prevalence was relevant with TSH and TGAb levels. Most nodules were smaller than 1 cm (77%) and solitary (70%). Larger and multiple nodules were more common in the elderly, but no obvious difference was observed in the size and number of thyroid nodules between men and women. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was applied to 70 subjects with thyroid nodules bigger than 1 cm. Three patients were diagnosed as having thyroid cancer and were confirmed historically after surgery. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of thyroid nodule is high even in healthy adults, and it is more common in the elderly and women. Most of the nodules are impalpable and benign.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
维普
